Albion Park, Friday 6 February

Form Analysis by Darren Clayton

RACE ONE

A tricky one at the middle trip to open the card where CHEZZ DALE (6) resumes from a spell off the back of a tidy trial. Tackling stronger opposition during the last campaign prior to being shut down, he dictated from this gate two starts back when defeating LANAI. He can return with a bang.

COUNTY COURT JUDGE (5) gives experience to his rivals as he steps up out of restricted win grade following a last start victory. Chargin home from the rear to sweep by and pull clear to a 7m margin, he had built into that win after three successive placings. Look for him late again.

SHARDS MATRIX (1) lands the right set up to take the closing shot here fresh up since December. 3rd from the pocket trail behind MULLUM HANK three back, he will be probing.

TEDDY TURPIN (12) is another returning from a spell, claiming a qualifier two starts back before being sent for a break after finishing down the line from a wide gate behind AMAMI. The gate stings.

SELECTIONS: CHEZZ DALE (6), COUNTY COURT JUDGE (5), SHARDS MATRIX (1), TEDDY TURPIN (12)
SUGGESTED BET: CHEZZ DALE (6) to win

RACE TWO

With the options at hand from the inside alley, EPIC ERNIE (1) should appreciate the soft trip behind the right leader. Making good metres from deep field last start when retreating from gate 5, he was 3m away two starts back when searching for gaps. A chance to capitalise presents.

LLANFAIR LLEWELLAN (3) was chasing a hat-trick of victories here last start when stung by gate 10 and stepping up into qualifying company. Only 8m from the winner XPRESS PARTY, the start prior he completed back-to-back wins when leading at 2138. He can throw down the challenge.

HELLO I TEA (5) was beaten by gate 12 last start in a tough qualifier when down the line behind HOT ROD HARRY. Grabbing the bronze behind IM BOO two back, he can chime in here.

BUDDY PERFECT (6) returns from a three start Tamworth campaign that included a Golden Guitar heat victory. Making an error in the final, the gate asks a tough question here.

SELECTIONS: EPIC ERNIE (1), LLANFAIR LLEWELLAN (3), HELLO I TEA (5), BUDDY PERFECT (6)
SUGGESTED BET: EPIC ERNIE (1) to win

RACE THREE

Relying on some favours in transit after landing outside the second line, MERRY JEWEL (10) is hitting the right areas to chase the W here. A winner three starts back from the pocket trail, she hit the line nicely for the silver behind BORSELLINO at her next outing. This is within reach.

ROCKTIME (4) overcame the outside second line here three back when finishing over the top in posting a 2m margin. Setting the tempo at Redcliffe on Monday when holding on for the bronze behind ROCK HAMMER, this is a drop from that contest and he can issue a challenge.

LA SABINA (5) cashed in last start at the mile when pressing on from gate 6 to take control and fend them off late. With early hustle, she can get forward to stake a claim for the repeat.

SAN SABA (6) found running line cover from the second line last time and had the closing speed to descend on them for a narrow margin. Despite the wide gate, she can join in.

SELECTIONS: MERRY JEWEL (10), ROCKTIME (4), LA SABINA (5), SAN SABA (6)
SUGGESTED BET: MERRY JEWEL (10) to win

RACE FOUR

This grade is always tough to dissect and when they step up to 2138, it becomes harder. Despite a second line gate, BEAU STEELE (10) might just be able to win the battle of attrition that this will likely throw up. Beaten by gate 6 at Redcliffe last start, the start prior on this deck at the mile, he was asked to work in the run.

GIDUP CAPTAIN (2) tackled this trip last start when finding the front in the early stages from this same gate and then opting for the trail. Chasing hard to hold on for the silver when 3m from the winner MULLUM DOC, similar tactics can see him throw it down here.

SAINT LOUIS BEAT (4) eased from a wide gate here four starts back at this trip before closing strongly for the silver. Following that with another 2nd at the mile, he can get handy here to feature.

BEACH MAGIC (5) was runner-up at Redcliffe last time out over the 1780 when pressing forward to sit parked. Positioning cheaply will be the key to his podium claims in this open affair.

SELECTIONS: BEAU STEELE (10), GIDUP CAPTAIN (2), SAINT LOUIS BEAT (4), BEACH MAGIC (5)
SUGGESTED BET: BEAU STEELE (10) to win

RACE FIVE

The last start effort from a wide gate that B MAC C (4) produced suggests that he has worked his way back into some form. Finishing strongly to be under 2m from the winner on that occasion, he finds the conditions to show his early hustle and with limited front line pressure, can score his first AP win in 14 months.

LETS GO BAILEY (2) showed some early speed last time out but was unable to get across before easing into the trail. Losing his momentum when the leader was collared, he tried to muster again along the passing lane to be 5m from the winner. If he can cross, he will challenge.

BRIAN CHRISTOPHER (9) hit the board in four of five through January, the latest when beaten a lip after setting the tempo at the mile. A 2138 winner two starts back, he is right in the fight.

SNIP OF BEAUTY (3) has placed at her past three starts, the latest when looming strongly but unable to get past SAN SABA when a half-head adrift of victory. Positioning cheaply will be key.

SELECTIONS: B MAC C (4), LETS GO BAILEY (2), BRIAN CHRISTOPHER (9), SNIP OF BEAUTY (3)
SUGGESTED BET: B MAC C (4) to win

RACE SIX

Placed in one of three appearances here at HQ, CHERRIES ON TOP (2) has likely found the conditions to add a victory to those figures. Breaking maiden ranks with a demolition at Redcliffe when positing a 49m margin, she overcame the outside second line last start with another strong win on The Triangle. This looks ideal.

OUR ULTIMATE MILLY (1) will strip fitter following her latest appearance when dictating from gate 2 at Redcliffe and gripping on in the stretch to win by an eyelash. A winner back in August in a Triad Heat, she secures the options from this gate to issue the challenge.

TARIFF TIME (4) is a 3YO filly that has won two of three to date, resuming from a let up at Marburg with a 7m victory. This is a tougher ask from the gate, but she can feature.

POWERMOVE (8) should be tucked away in transit with an economical trip. Sent hard to the front before taking cover at 2138 last start before fading, a return to the mile is in her favour.

SELECTIONS: CHERRIES ON TOP (2), OUR ULTIMATE MILLY (1), TARIFF TIME (4), POWERMOVE (8)
SUGGESTED BET: CHERRIES ON TOP (2) to win

RACE SEVEN

The front line of this contest are all searching for form which might just pave the way for THE BLINGSTER (8) to secure the right trip. Resuming from a spell with a swooping win at Redcliffe, all four subsequent outings have been against far superior opposition to this. Just needs the gap.

RAINBOW GAMBLER (1) has placed in three of his past five, the past two in succession. Eased to the fence from wide on the front line last start at Redcliffe, he comes up with all the options here and burrowing through, might have found the set up to issue the challenge.

IM A RED HOT FOX (7) has the ODM embargo to start on the outside and last start added in a gait break to put her out of action. If she can start cleanly and pace throughout, she has claims.

PLAYING FOR KEEPS (9) joins the Watson stable, arriving from Southern NSW. With a sound Redcliffe trial hit out, she finds the right race to feature fresh.

SELECTIONS: THE BLINGSTER (8), RAINBOW GAMBLER (1), IM A RED HOT FOX (7), PLAYING FOR KEEPS (9)
SUGGESTED BET: THE BLINGSTER (8) to win

RACE EIGHT

If the same ILLUSORY FEAT (5) that turned up last start under mobile conditions can lob for this standing start event, she will take some beating. Sketchy off the tapes two starts back and out of play, she sprinted smartly last time in taking a 2m margin. A safe start will be the key.

PHOEBE MAJESTIC (6) faced the 30m tape here on Tuesday in a bigger field and was sent around to the breeze but faded over the latter stages. A winner off a soft trip two starts back and finishing strongly, the smaller field and oppositional depth can see her throw it down.

DOLLYS DUKE (3) has finished down the line at his past two starts against tougher opponents than those he will face here. From the 10m, a safe start can see him in the mix.

DORA LEE (1) chased home PHOEBE MAJESTIC at Marburg two starts back to grab the bronze. Banished to the trials lasty start following an error, she returns here and from the front tape has claims.

SELECTIONS: ILLUSORY FEAT (5), PHOEBE MAJESTIC (6), DOLLYS DUKE (3), DORA LEE (1)
SUGGESTED BET: